Esko joins Smokey Bones from Sun Capital Partners, Inc., the private investment firm whose affiliate owns the company and where he served as principal – performance improvement. Esko's background includes experience running several U.S. and international consumer and retail businesses.

"We are very pleased that Ryan is joining Smokey Bones," said Anthony Polazzi, a member of the Smokey Bones board. "With Ryan now on board, we plan to move quickly to continue our growth plan by adding new stores, completing major remodels, and looking at potential acquisitions."